Chapter 362: Opportunity

He was right. Sun Haiwei and Shang Xia were barely interested in the Sunset Willow Spirit Awakening Needle. Of course, they wouldn’t reject Tian Mengzi since they learned that he required the medicine and they could only wait for Third Mistress Liu to put forth her conditions.

“I hope to exchange it for a rank three metal. It should be heavier than thirty pounds after I refine its impurities.” As soon as she spoke of her condition, Tian Mengzi heaved a sigh of relief.

He had clearly made his preparations before coming to the gathering. Of course, he also managed to run into many opportunities of his own to obtain treasures and he wasn’t too afraid that he would be unable to trade for it himself.

However, Shang Xia felt that the trade wouldn’t be as easy as it seemed. Everyone sitting in the hall wasn't poor by any means. There were definitely more than a few of them who had the ability to bring out the items she wanted. However, there was only a single needle. There was no doubt that it was going to turn into a bidding war.

Before Tian Mengzi could say anything, someone in the crowd gave an offer. “I have 30 pounds of rank three Star Grain Mysterious Metal. I hope it’s enough to exchange it for your Sunset Willow Spirit Awakening Needle.”

A smile appeared on Third Mistress Liu’s face and she replied. “Star Grain Mysterious Metal. Of course…”

“Wait a second! There’s no need to rush into it!” Another middle aged cultivator interrupted before she could finish her sentence. “Star Grain Mysterious Metal might be a rank three treasure, but I have thirty pounds of Chaotic Rain Essence Gold! It’s worth much more than what he’s offering and I wonder if you would agree to the trade.”

“I have 32 pounds of Flowing Moon Silver!”

“...”

Before Tian Mengzi could even say anything, six people had already raised an exchange.

By the time Shang Xia snapped back to reality, he discovered that he had clearly underestimated the others and how much they wanted the Sunset Willow Spirit Awakening Needle.

He might not be able to use it since he had already entered the grand completion stage of the Martial Intent Realm, and neither did some of those who were bidding, but they could buy it for their juniors or descendants!

As such, many people proposed a trade regardless of whether they could use it or not.

Reaching the conclusion, Shang Xia realized that if he hadn’t promised Tian Mengzi to obtain the treasure, he would have started bidding for it himself.

All she wanted was rank three metals. Shang Xia had a ton of it. He killed more than 10 Martial Intent Realm cultivators in the Changfeng City. He had three Embroidered Cloud Cases in his sleeves and there were too many rank three metals in them.”

Tian Mengzi also clearly realized that there was no easy way to win the item and a bitter laugh escaped his lips. He was no longer in a rush to put up a bid.

The more urgently he raised the bids, the higher the price of the Sunset Willow Spirit Awakening Needle.

Shang Xia’s gaze landed on Third Mistress Liu at that moment and he saw the smile on her face. The bidding war was clearly something she wanted to see.

It didn't take long for the price to rise by a huge amount. Two of the biggest offers were 35 pounds of Cloud Grain Mysterious Copper and 30 pounds of Star Grain Mysterious Metal with an additional 50 pieces of gold coins.

Ordinarily, everyone would be using copper boards and silver essence as currency. Not many people would use gold coins.

However, the Sunset Willow Spirit Awakening Needle was clearly so precious that it wasn’t surprising for cultivators to make up for the value of items using gold coins.

One silver essence was worth a hundred copper boards, and a gold coin was worth a hundred silver essence. They might be used as currency, but they could also be considered a type of treasure in itself.

A bronze board could be obtained after refining a batch of high grade essence bronze.

Silver essence was made after refining low grade essence silver.

By extension, gold coins were made from refining ordinary essence gold. Naturally, the process of refinement of each currency was a little more difficult than the previous ones, but the principle was the same.

As such, fifty gold coins could basically be considered rank three metal. After smelting them, she should be able to get five or so pounds of essence gold. Adding his initial offer of thirty pounds of Star Grain Mysterious Metal, it was pretty much comparable to the other offer of Cloud Grain Mysterious Metal.

With the bidding war basically at a stalemate, everything would be left up to Third Mistress Liu.

Seeing as it was about time for him to make his move, Tian Mengzi spoke up after some discussion with Sun Haiwei and Shang Xia. “I have another offer here. I wonder if you would mind listening to it?”

Third Mistress Liu turned to look at him and Tian Mengzi said casually, “I have ten pounds of Scarlet Flame Metal Sand, ten pounds of Star Grain Mysterious Metal, five pounds of Cloud Grain Mysterious Metal, five pounds of Earth Core Copper Slurry, and three pounds of Stress Gold Ore. What do you think?”

A look of shock flashed in her eyes after he spoke. “Little brother here seems to be pretty rich. However, you only offered 33 pounds in total. It doesn’t seem to be comparable to the 35 pounds of Cloud Grain Mysterious Metal offered.”

Tian Mengzi smiled confidently and replied. “I offered less because there are a lot more options to choose from. Doesn’t this allow you to save a lot of effort to look for other materials?”

That was the result of the discussion between Sun Haiwei, Shang Xia, and Tian Mengzi.

After all, if they were truly talking about wealth, a mere Tian Mengzi wouldn’t be richer than most people there. Even with Shang Xia and Sun Haiwei’s help, there was no point in overpaying for the needle.

Out of the five materials he offered, only the Scarlet Flame Metal Sand and Earth Core Copper Slurry belonged to him. He borrowed the Star Grain Mysterious Metal from Sun Haiwei and the others came from Shang Xia.

From the way she was exchanging the Sunset Willow Spirit Awakening Needle for metals, it seemed as though she was trying to refine a graded weapon. Moreover, she didn’t specify which material she required. That could only mean that she hadn’t thought of how she should refine her graded weapon.

Without an idea of how to refine her weapon, she probably hadn’t made any preparations. Since refining weapons usually involved more than one type of material, offering a few different types would increase their worth.

That was also the reason why Tian Mengzi had the guts to offer slightly less than the current highest offer. After all, he made up for it in variety.

Naturally, their method would only work if she was truly trying to refine a graded weapon.

They seemed to have placed the right bet as a smile appeared on her face. “Little brother, you seem pretty funny! But… You’re right.”

Actually, she was already moved when he made his offer earlier. She only mentioned what she did to try her luck at getting a little more.

The others also discovered her true intentions when they saw her reaction and started to look through their collection to see what they could offer.

They discovered that no matter how hard they tried, they were unable to bring out so many different types of rank three materials!

However, Third Mistress Liu seemed to be a little reluctant to part with her Sunset Willow Spirit Awakening Needle. She muttered, “Unfortunately, the quantity is still too low. If you can’t make up for the last two pounds, I would choose to trade with the cultivator who is willing to exchange 35 pounds of Cloud Grain Mysterious Metal.”

Tian Mengzi wanted to say something, but Sun Haiwei tugged his sleeves to get his attention. He turned to look at Shang Xia and saw him shaking his head slightly.

Realizing his mistake, he knew that he couldn’t seem too desperate. He understood Shang Xia’s intentions and he shook his head in response. “It’s a shame I wouldn’t be able to bring out anything more.”

Gritting her teeth, Third Mistress Liu seemed a little sore that her plan failed.

Wu Tianfang from the Protection Division of the Tongyou Institution roared with laughter at that moment. “Madam Liu, stop hesitating. None of us here are fools. You can’t drag things out and waste everyone’s time either. Moreover, you’re not making a loss…”

There seemed to be another meaning behind Wu Tianfang’s words and everyone present knew what he meant. Clearly, Tian Mengzi’s offer was more than fair and she was wasting everyone’s time by trying to get a little more.

Pouting slightly, Third Mistress Liu sighed, “Alright, I’ll trade it with you for a slight loss… Hmph!”

Tian Mengzi felt a burst of joy in his heart and he made his way forward to make the trade. At the same time, he sent a thankful look in the direction of Wu Tingfang and Huo Wuji.

After the trade was done and Third Mistress Liu returned to her seat, Wu Tingfang stood up and made his way over to the center table. Before he could arrive at the front, a chuckle came from another side of the hall. “Old Chap Wu, I heard that you have a lot of good stuff. You have to take some out and widen our horizons.”

Someone else also piped up at the side, “Hey Deacon Wu are you representing the institution or are you here for your own sake?”

Wu Tingfang ignored the two of them as he made his way over. Only when he arrived at the center table did he rebuke the two of them with a soft chuckle. “Yeah, I do have some good stuff with me. It’s not like you have the ability to trade for them, you fool! Moreover, the trades here are done fairly. Why do you care who I’m representing?”

Roaring laughter broke out in the hall and it seemed as though his words didn’t offend the others in the slightest. No matter what, he was an important figure in the Tongyou Institution. Many people were waiting in anticipation for the things he would reveal.

Under their excited gazes, he took out a document that seemed to be made with a silk-like material. “I have a rank two advancement formula called the Distraction Powder. It’s a guide for those who walk down the dao of direction. They will be able to master left and right qi after training in it. I wish to trade for a completed graded weapon!”

Everyone was flabbergasted by the appearance of an advancement formula, but they soon roared with dissatisfaction. “Oi! All of us here are in the Martial Intent Realm. Why did you take out a rank two advancement formula?! Are you messing with us?!”

“Hehe, you want a graded weapon for a rank two advancement formula. What a joke! You should take out a rank three advancement formula at least!”

Opening his eyes in shock, Wu Tingfang turned to the person who spoke first and roared with rage, “Old Freak Yu, are you delusional or did you fall out of your bed headfirst this morning? This is a completely rank two advancement formula, not a portion of rank two advancement medicine. You’ve been alive for a long time. Have you seen a complete rank two advancement formula in your life?!”

“Oi, there’s you too.” Turning to the person who spoke after the other guy, Wu Tingfang yelled. “Do you think you can hide behind your mask and talk all the crap you want? You want a rank three advancement formula for a graded weapon? Why don’t you bring out a rank three advancement formula? As long as it’s something the Tongyou Institution doesn't have, I’ll give you a graded weapon. How’s that?! What the f… I’ll even make a deal with you on the Tongyou Institution’s behalf. We’ll give you one graded weapon for every rank three advancement formula you take out that we don’t have. You can trade as many as you want! How’s that?!”

Seeing how unbridled Wu Tingfang was acting, everyone knew that he wasn’t serious too. Regardless, most people in the hall were dumbstruck and Wu Tingfang continued, “Damn your granny. A graded weapon for a rank three advancement formula. I wish I was as crazy as you guys too!”

Coughing once, he eventually regained his composure. “Alright, all of you are too hasty. I wasn’t done yet and all of you started yapping around. Other than this rank two advancement formula, I also have a martial art that is suitable for those who train the dao of directions. This is pretty much half of another rank two advancement formula. It’s definitely enough to trade for a graded weapon!”